I am running a bit late today, as I got lost in answering emails and doing some other things. I did have some things that I wanted to share here though that may be of interest.

I received my full sheet labels the other day from a Canadian supplier on Amazon . They arrived quickly and I am eager to use them on my next project today or tomorrow. The cost for 100 full sheets of labels was a total of about $30 with the shipping. While that may seem a little expensive, you have to remember that by using this method to stick on the pattern, you eliminate the need for the blue painter’s tape, which is about $10 for a 47 meter roll. Also you save because you don’t have to purchase the temporary spray adhesive, and deal with that.

I had a customer write me this morning who also tried the label method and was very happy with it. He is from the United States and sent me a link to purchase the full sheet labels here:

They were only $10.95 there for a box of 100 full sheets, but I was unable to calculate the shipping because even though on the site they say they ship to Canada, there was no means to do so. I expect though that since their only method of shipping appears to be UPS, it would be a bit more expensive. If you are in Canada though and want to try them, you may want to contact them and see what is up, as my labels were delivered via Purolator and the delivery charge was about $8.00. If they work out, I will probably buy more than one box at a time to save on shipping, although I think 100 will last me quite a while.

Another thing I found in the past couple of days was that the Painter's Mate Green Dropcloth Double-Sided Masking Tape could be ordered from my Home Hardware store here in Canada. If you click on the “Where to Buy” link at the bottom of the page, you will see it is available in the United States also. The cost for a roll is (I think!) going to be about $10 with taxes in. I am waiting to see what it will cost when it comes in. The clerk there had never heard about it, and I had to have him look it up on the computer. He said he learned something new that day and I suggest if you go in looking for it, take a picture so that you can convince them that they ARE able to get it, as when I first asked him, he looked at me as if I had two heads. I was relieved he found it in the computer, because I am sure he thought I was making it up.

I have decided to write a comprehensive article on all this tape/spray glue/label information. I am going to offer it to the magazine because I think it will be helpful to offer different alternatives to applying patterns to the wood. In scroll sawing it is especially important that the lines we are cutting be accurate and I am looking for the most stress-free and reliable methods that I can to not only give choices to people, but offer methods that are a clean alternative to using spray, which can be a bit messy. I will keep you all updated on my findings in the next couple of days.

I am finishing up drawing my pattern today, and will show you a little teaser of it:

While this one is for the magazine, I am developing several patterns at once. I hope to have several new designs done shortly, as I can’t wait to be back at the saw again and try my new labels.

Well, that will be it for today. Time to get busy working and playing with my labels.

14 comments so far

I guess I have a couple of thoughts. I like this idea and have followed other thoughts like this. I did a search of one of the US office supply stores and found 8 1/2×11 lables for $14.00 but the had a but 2 get one free offer. My other thought is that many times I print less than a full sheet. I would need to think that over before going this direction. Great idea and worth thinking about.

That is a great point Jerrell and one that I planned on mentioning in the article. Many times the patterns don’t take up a full sheet, leaving waste area that once cut, can’t be put back into the printer again. This could very well mean that you are wasting a bit of the labels. That is why I keep saying that no one method is the ‘end all’ for everything. I like having the option of having both the tape and the labels here, as well as the spray adhesive for certain circumstances. I think the more options we have the better. There is no reason why we have to stick to only one way to apply the pattern all the time. (No pun intended!) Thanks so much for your input. I truly appreciate your thoughts and experiences.

Good morning Sheila,
I was on Steve Good’s community pages and some one there had another suggestion that I tried and really like. It uses a cold laminating machine and repositional laminate. After you print your label, feed the pattern through the machine(it is hand crank), cut the pattern pieces out then remove the backer and apply to the wood. No blue tape, packing tape or glue of any kind needed! After you are finished just peel off like the label or tape method. The only draw back is it is a little pricey but I found the laminator and film on E Bay and only paid $40 for the machine and $20 for the roll of film. Both had free shipping on them and both were buy it now. I like the less mess and not having to buy the tape. Plus if you had anything that you wanted to laminate, just change the film and there you have it.Rick

Good morning Sheila,I’m with Debbie. I think if I were to use the labels I’d be printing several patterns onto the one sheet but then again, this would not work all the time. As you say, different strokes for different folks and it is good to have options. Thanks for giving us all the benefit of your experience with the different methods.Enjoy your day – a very wet Westcast day here but the geraniums are still surviving in the garden!

I had never heard of that Rick. Could you send me a link to one so I can see it? How much is the film that you need to get? I am looking at lots of ways to do this and everything is possible.

Yes, Miss Debbie – I think that when using the sheets of labels, planning is a great strategy to get the most from your dollar. When Keith and I draw up patterns, we never overlap pieces and we try to use the space as efficiently as possible. This will help them be able to print the patterns in the most efficient way. Of course, they could always “mix and match” and take patterns to Kinkos or use a copier with the labels.

I loved the ‘spelling cat’ picture, Jamie! I think they probably know quite a bit more than they let on. I am happy that you are getting cooler weather. It is still too warm for me here. It was raining all day yesterday.

Anna – I am going to do a comprehensive article exploring the many different methods of applying the pattern. I may even add another “lesson” in the scroll saw lessons here. I am finding that there is no one PERFECT method for all projects. Like anything, we need to asses our goals and use the best solution for the job. Stay tuned as I learn and sort things out. Hopefully the article will make things a bit clearer as I compare methods side by side and people can see what the best use is for their current project. :)

Yes Sheila, I get the page where its listed but when I follow the link “Where to buy it” I get the same page where I was before.The two places listed for the US are Ace Hardware and Menards.The Ace Hardware web page doesn’t have it and a search from their page returns “No results” Both Ace and Menards show Painters Mate Green products, but neither one has the drop cloth double sided tape.

I found the same with Home Hardware here in Canada Don. Thehttp://paintersmategreen.com/Products/Double_Sided_Dropcloth_Tape.aspx thing is I had to ask at the counter for it and they had to order it in. Apparently they are a supplier for Painter’s Mate, but that product isn’t regularly stocked. At first the guy at Home Hardware looked at me like I was crazy because he had never heard of it before. But when I pressed the issue, he looked it up in their computers and he was indeed able to order it. You may have to go in and ask them to look it up. Maybe take a screen shot of the page showing them as a distributor and bring it with you. They should be able to get it if they are a supplier. I don’t believe that it showed up on Home Hardware’s internet site either, or Canadian Tire for that matter. You would think they would list all their products on their site, but I am finding that they don’t always do that.

Again, keep me posted. I am sure others in the States want to know. Thanks so much!

I don’t know if you’ve ever tried this product. I picked up this can at Harbor Freight for 10 bux. As you can see in the pic, I used blue painters tape, then sprayed the pattern only with the CRC, and let it for about 4 1/2 minutes, and it works pretty well. Know that I am still a rookie at this stuff, so, I’m still learnin as I go.

That is a very effective way to apply the pattern Roger. I haven’t seen that brand here in Canada though, but I will look out for it. Using the blue tape underneath the pattern allows you to use any spray adhesive – temporary or permanent – and still be able to remover the pattern easily. There are lots of right ways to do things. Giving different options is good because people don’t always have access to the same materials.